Hundreds flock to Oxford to go shopping on Monday

At Blackwell’s bookstore, friendly faces were waiting to greet a line of loyal customers at 10am.

During the third lockdown, staff have been offering a ‘click-and-collect’ service, but bookworms have not been allowed inside.

Rebecca Macalister, Blackwell’s area manager for Oxford, said: “Speaking to customers on the phone and at our Collection Point, we know how much people have missed being able to browse the shelves in our bookshops and we have certainly missed them too. We’ve got exciting plans to make this spring really special at Blackwell’s. I am so looking forward to throwing open the doors again and welcoming everyone back.”

Bookseller Charlie Bush also explained how the shop had been offering free same-day delivery within Oxford Ring Road which had been popular during lockdown with customers worried about the impact of Amazon.

He said the books are handpicked off the shelves by staff, packaged up and delivered by bike for free in the next day – a similar service to Amazon’s Prime but without the ‘white vans’ and warehouse.

Holly Probert, manager of the stationary shop Scriptum on Turl Street said there was a buzz around town as the high street reopened.

She said: “It’s been really lovely. We have been waiting for this for so long. We have had quite a few of our regular customers come in to say hello and it’s just a massive relief.

“Lots of people coming in and it’s been busy but not manic, it’s been manageable.

"There’s a really good feeling in town, a relief from shop owners, staff, customers. Lots of customers have been telling us it’s nice to actually see things again and that it hasn’t been the same shopping online and it’s really not, you want to hold something.”

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